FOURTH GENERATION OF COMPUTERS: HISTORY, CHARACTERISTICS, HARDWARE, SOFTWARE - TECHNOLOGY - 2024

The fourth generation of computers refers to the type of computers that were used during the phase that began in 1972. This phase has been based on the information technology of the microprocessor.

This generation of computers is the one that is still working today. It can be said that the computers that can be seen around are fourth generation computers.

IBM PC 5150 Source: CC BY-SA 3.0, The first developments in computer technology were based on revolutionary technological advances, where the driving force was inventions and new technologies. This generation is probably better viewed as evolutionary than revolutionary.

Thus, the fourth generation of computers was a great extension or improvement of the third generation of computers.

The birth of the microprocessor occurred at the same time as the birth of the microcomputer. This generation was also aligned with compliance with Moore's law, which predicted the exponential growth of transistors in microchips beginning in 1965.

Importance

Microprocessors first used large-scale integration technology and later very large-scale integration technology to eventually encapsulate millions of transistors on a single chip.

Microprocessor technology is now found in all modern computers. The chips as such can be manufactured cheaply and in large quantities.

This generation of computers developed very quickly because they were so versatile and easy to use. The role of computers has been very useful especially in the field of industry and information technology.

The new microprocessor was as powerful as the 1946 ENIAC computer. What filled an entire room in the first generation could now fit in the palm of your hand.

Desktop computers became commonplace. The personal computers seen in offices and homes are fourth generation computers.

Origin and history of the fourth generation

The invention of the microprocessor chip ushered in fourth-generation computers. This led to the development of microcomputers or personal computers.

The first microprocessor, called Intel 4004, was developed by the American company Intel in 1971.

Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) technology made it routine to manufacture a complete CPU or main memory with a single integrated circuit, mass produced at very low cost.

This resulted in new classes of machines, such as personal computers and high-performance parallel processors containing thousands of CPUs.

Personal computers

In 1981 IBM selected Intel as the manufacturer of the microprocessor for its new machine, the IBM-PC. This microprocessor was the Intel 8086.

This computer could execute 240,000 sums per second. Although it was much slower than computers in the IBM 360 family, it was only $ 4,000 in today's dollars. This price-performance ratio caused a boom in the microcomputer market.

In 1996, Intel's Pentium Pro PC could run 400,000,000 sums per second. This was approximately 210,000 times faster than ENIAC.

Graphical user interface

This was basically an interface where the average user interacted with the computer using visual icons, rather than having to type commands in a programming language.

This made using the computer much easier and therefore more people were able to use the technology.

The software that ran on these computers was also available for little or even free of charge.

Characteristics of the fourth generation of computers

- Increased computer use compared to the previous generation.

- There was a dramatic increase in processor speed.

- The keyboard and the video monitor became standard devices. The mouse began to play an important role.

- The size, cost, energy requirement and heat generation decreased, compared to the previous generation.

Miniaturization

The miniaturization electronic component, called Large Scale Integration (LSI), was developed to package more and more circuits on a single chip.

Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) was later introduced, using microprocessor-based technology.

Multitask

Unlike previous generation computers, these can process multiple tasks, providing great versatility.

Computers play videos, display pictures, play music, can be used to surf the Internet, etc.

This versatility means they have more processing power. This additional power was created with the implementation of the microprocessor.

Microprocessors have this power because they have reduced the size of the transistors and increased the number of processors included in a circuit.

Storage

Semiconductors like RAM, ROM, and cache memory were used as primary memories. Main memory increased in the form of EPROM and SRAM.

Magnetic disks, such as hard disks, floppy disks, optical disks (CD, DVD) and flash memories, were used as secondary memory.

Networking

The concept of the computer network emerged. As computers became more powerful, they were able to link together to form networks, which eventually led to the development of the Internet.

Advanced and easy-to-use software for web pages was developed. In addition, email and mobile communication were developed.

Hardware

The fourth generation brought important advances on the macrocomputers of the second generation and also on the minicomputers of the third generation, adding a new category of machine, which was the microcomputer or personal computer.

On the other hand, semiconductor memories replaced magnetic core memories. The mouse and portable devices were also developed.

With the use of microprocessors in computers, their performance became much faster, as well as efficient.

The microprocessor is a chip used in the computer to perform all the arithmetic or logic functions executed by any program.

Integration

This generation learned about the processes to create integrated circuits that contained thousands of transistors on a single chip.

In Large Scale Integration (LSI) 1,000 devices could be placed per chip and in Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) 100,000 devices could be placed per chip.

With the microprocessor it was possible to put the central processing unit (CPU) of the computer on a single chip. For simple systems, an entire computer can fit on a single chip: processor, main memory, and input / output controllers.

Processing chips are used for the CPU and memory chips are used for RAM. However, it has been possible to design processors with onboard memory or cache on a single chip.

Parallel processing

The use of parallel processors was increased. These machines combine several processors to perform calculations in parallel, executing more than one instruction at a time.

They have been used for scientific calculations and also for databases and file servers.

software

These computers had a faster programming language, making application software for microcomputers popular.

Computers were used to process text, handle spreadsheets, and deliver graphics.

Operating systems

In 1974 Intel devised an 8-bit microprocessor called 8808. Gary Kildall wrote the operating system for this processor, known as the Control Program for Microcomputers (CP / M).

On the other hand, IBM partnered with Bill Gates, who bought the Computer Product operating system, to distribute it with the new IBM computer.

Both were command line-based operating systems, where the user could interact with the computer through the keyboard.

Graphical user interface

Steve Jobs launched the Apple Macintosh computer in 1984, with a better graphical user interface, using the Xerox Alto interface idea.

Following Apple's success, Microsoft integrated a shell version of Windows into the 1985 version of the DOS operating system.

Windows was used like this for 10 years, until it was reinvented with Windows 95. This was a complete operating system, with all the utilities.

Fourth generation languages

Unlike third-generation languages, fourth-generation languages ​​are not procedural, but use a declarative style.

The declarative style provides a mathematical specification of what should be calculated, leaving the compiler with many details about how the calculation should be done.

Therefore, a large program made with a third-generation language can be replaced by a single declaration with a fourth-generation language.

Inventions and their authors

The invention of LSI technology and VLSI technology led to the fourth generation of computers. In addition, this generation includes the following developments:

- Graphical user interface.

- New operating systems.

- Different input / output and secondary storage devices.

- Local area networks.

Microprocessor

It was developed in 1971 by Ted Hoff, along with F. Faggin and S. Mazor. They developed the Intel 4004 microprocessor for Intel Corporation.

This microprocessor contained 2,300 transistors. It marked the beginning of a generation of computers that extends to the present day.

Altair 8800

Altair 8800, 1975.

It was one of the first microcomputers. It was created in 1975 by the Micro Instrumentation Telemetry Systems (MITS) company.

Ed Roberts designed it using an Intel 8080 processing chip, which was the first 16-bit microprocessor. It was the initial influence of personal computing in the world.

Manzana

In 1976 Steve Wozniak developed the first Apple computer (Apple I). It was a small personal computer.

Steve Jobs helped him sell this computer and later helped him make the Apple II. Wozniak and Jobs were the co-founders of Apple.

IBM PC

In 1981, International Business Machine (IBM) introduced this first home computer, running the 4004 processor.

Microsoft

Paul Allen and Bill Gates, founders of Microsoft, began work writing the BASIC language for the ALTAIR 8800.

Subsequently, the DOS operating system brought great success to the company. In 1985 they released Windows 1.0, a 16-bit graphical operating environment.

In 1986 they launched a word processing, database and spreadsheet program called Microsoft Works.

Featured Computers

Included are the minicomputers of the 1970s, such as the PDP-11/03 and PDP-11/34, personal computers of the late 1970s and early 1980s, and macrocomputers that use microprocessors, such as IBM's z-series.

Xerox Alto

In 1973 PARC's Xerox Alto computer was launched. It was a true personal computer, featuring an Ethernet port, a mouse, and also a graphical user interface with bitmaps, the first of its kind. It ran on a 16-bit chip from Texas Instruments.

Apple microcomputers

Wozniak and Jobs developed the Apple II, which was one of the first mass-produced highly successful home microcomputers.

It was the first in the Apple II series. Five million were sold in total. It worked with a ROM and Integer BASIC. Wozniak developed Disk II in 1978, a floppy disk drive for storage.

The Apple II computer attracted companies to use computers more because it could run software such as the VisiCalc spreadsheet.

Apple introduced the Macintosh in 1984, based on the Motorola 68000 microprocessor. It was not commercially successful initially, but eventually it was.

Many other models of Apple computers were produced throughout the fourth generation of computing. Some were successful, while others were not.

IBM PC

In 1981 IBM released the personal computer. It became a best-selling computer and is still sold today. It was a Windows based PC.

The architecture of the IBM PC became the de facto standard on the market, which other PC manufacturers sought to emulate.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantage

The most significant advances in the development of computers occurred when passing from the third to the fourth generation.

The biggest benefit is that the majority of the population can have at least one computer at home thanks to their affordability and adequate size.

- They are highly reliable computers, small in size and more powerful. They require much less maintenance than previous generations.

- They have the power of fast processing with lower energy consumption. In addition, they are the cheapest among all generations.

- They have an internal fan to discharge heat and thus be able to maintain the proper temperature. Air conditioning is no longer required for them to function normally.

- They provide an easy-to-use environment while working with them, due to the development of the graphical user interface and the interactive input and output devices.

- They are general purpose computers. They can be used to do almost anything. Its production is totally commercial.

- All types of high-level languages ​​can be used.

Disadvantages

It is required to have the latest technology to be able to manufacture the microprocessors. This has limited design and manufacturing to very few companies (Intel, AMD, etc.), making everyone dependent on them.

The design and manufacture of the microprocessor is very complex. Costly setup and highly qualified personnel are required for manufacturing.

On the other hand, a networked system has the susceptibility to a large-scale attack, also leaving the possibility of a virus attack throughout the system, making everyone vulnerable.

References

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